Chain link fence security attachment

ABSTRACT

A security attachment comprising a channel iron having imbedded or attached protruding and slightly angled vertical spokes attached to the outer top surface of said channel iron. The security attachment is used in conjunction with, preferably, a chain link fence to present a formidable barrier to potential intruders and also display a visually pleasing symmetrical arrangement along the top of the fence. The channel iron of the security attachment comprises an inverted u-shaped cross section, thereby providing a means for securely attaching the interior of the channel iron onto the top rail of a chain link, or similar fence. The device provides a substantial measure of additional fence security.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The inventive concept disclosed herein is in the field of fencing and methods of enhancing security correlated with the installation of fence systems, and particularly as applicable to chain link fences. Barriers in the form of fences are used around the world to surround a wide variety of facilities ranging from private homes to industrial complexes, to military installations. People or businesses select fences to safeguard or privatize a particular site in accordance with relevant aesthetic, governmental regulatory measures, and security considerations. A relatively inexpensive chain link fence is generally used in residential back yards of low security facilities, which may not require aesthetic considerations. Other facilities require a more aesthetically pleasing fence.

The inventive disclosed herein has several advantages, including the providing of security by additional height extension, elegant design, durable solid metal spokes having a slight bend, and simplicity of installation upon the top rail of a chain link fence. The orientation of die spokes is reversible: a user may apply the protruding bent, upward section of the spokes toward the outer perimeter of the fence, or point the bent section of the spokes inwardly toward the secured property.

(2) Description of the Related Art, Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,282,083 B1 (Oct. 9, 2012); An invention being a corrosion resistant railing insert including a stainless steel upper body for insertion into a railing post and including channels for liquid drainage from the railing post, an elongated stainless steel mounting arm protruding from the upper body. The mourning arm has a smaller cross-sectional area than the upper body, which are integrally associated as a unitary device. The upper body is secured within a railing post while the mounting aim is inserted into a complimentary aperture or sleeve formed in a concrete substrate and secured therein with an adhesive.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,889,075 B2 (Feb. 15, 2011) A detection system comprising a plurality of taut wire panels having vertical detection/sensor wires. The sensor wires are tensioned to position trigger plates associated one or more of the wires. Trigger plate movement causes an actuating means to indicate a sensor wire has been moved. In one embodiment, sensor wires and portions of the panel frame have similar coefficients of thermal expansion to substantially eliminate environmental expansion effects that may result in false alarms. Linked sensor wires on adjacent panel may signal movement of entire panels. Panels are monitored by panel controllers reporting to sector controllers that report to a central command computer that automatically numbers sector and panel controllers at start-up. Bi-directional communication enables alarms and system faults to be precisely located.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,179 B2 (Jun. 5, 2010) The invention improves the security of an ordinary fence by using intersecting inserts that extend between posts of the fence. The inserts can be inserted in channels that are formed by the woven wire of the fence fabric. Intersections of the inserts can be used to securely couple two intersecting inserts to each other b any suitable means such as welding, bolting, riveting, gluing, and the like. The inserts can be securely coupled to the posts either directly for example, by using a bracket attached to a post) and/or indirectly by using, for example, a tensioning rod that is coupled to a post, or coupled to a support rail that spans the distance between two posts.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,575,225 B1 (Aug. 18, 2009); A security fence cap, for use with a security fence having a post having a post top. The cap has a cylindrical collar and a domed portion. The collar has a lower opening for securing onto the post top and set screws for tightening against the post. The domed portion extends fully over the post top and has a plurality of spike protrusions, selectively attached within threaded radial bores, extending radially outwardly from the domed portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,265 B2 (Mar. 8, 2005) A security cover is used in conjunction with a visually pleasing picket fence barrier. The security cover, having a C-shaped cross section, restricts access to bolts used to couple each picket to top and bottom support beams and thereby prevents tampering with the fence.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,736 (Jun. 2, 1981) A climb inhibiting structure for integration with, or attachment to, a fence run incorporating a longitudinally extending rod-like bearing member that is mounted in parallel-displaced relationship with the top extreme of the fence run. A series of relatively short turn cylinders are rotatable mounted, end-to-end, about the bearing member. A plurality of spine-like members extend radially outwardly from the surface of each rotatable member in spaced relationship precluding purchase by an animal's leg or paw. The spines are preferably yieldable so as to substantially minimize injury to climber, with rotation of the spine carrying member precluding a purchase by means of which the climber might pull itself up and over the fence.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive concept is essentially a fence attachment that, in the preferred embodiment, comprises, optimally, a ten-foot long steel channel iron having protruding, sturdy spokes attached or embedded at regular intervals perpendicularly to the top outer surface of the channel iron. The channel iron comprises an orthogonal, inverted U-shaped cross section, and is specifically adapted for a snug fit around the circumference of a horizontal top rail commonly used on chain link fences. The channel iron is securely attached to the top rail by means of screws or other fasteners that are inserted through appropriately-sized holes in the channel iron and the top rail. In the preferred embodiment, the screws penetrate the entirety of the top rail and are then tightened by nuts secured against the bottom outer surface of the top rail. The result is a formidable, but decorative additional barrier against unwanted intrusions over the fence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 displays a typical section of the security attachment juxtaposed above a segment of a chain link fence.

FIG. 2 presents a side view of one segmented spoke of the security attachment, further showing a screw positioned through the top rail of a chain link fence.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of the security attachment, further displaying the holes, channel iron, and top rail for acceptance of securing screws.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Beginning with FIG. 1, there is shown a section of the security attachment 1 in position for placing upon the top rail 10 of a segment of a chain link fence 13. The channel iron 6 of the security attachment 1 is of a compatible inner width 17 to allow a snug fit about the outer perimeter of the top rail 10 of the chain link fence 13.

The security attachment 1 comprises a horizontally-oriented channel 6 in which is imbedded, either by welding or other means of permanent attachment, a series of regularly-spaced spokes 2. Each spoke 2 is bent at an angle of approximately fifteen (15) degrees at a bend 3 point on each spoke 2, thereby providing a hazardous and difficult obstacle to be encountered by any would-be fence climber or intruder. The upper segment or barb 4, of each spoke 2 is aligned parallel with all other spokes 2 along the channel iron 6 so as to add an aesthetic appearance to the security attachment 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of one segmented spoke 2 of the security attachment 1. There is further shown a screw 8 which has been inserted through a hole 7 (not shown) at the channel iron top side 16, and continued through the outer surface 11 of the top rail 10 of a chain link fence 13. The screw 8 is held in position against the outer surface 11 of the top rail 10 by means of a corresponding nut 9 tightened against the outer surface 11.

The spoke 2 in FIG. 2 is shown to comprise a bend 3 which renders an angled upper segment, thereby forming the upper portion, or barb 4, of the spoke 2. The barb 4 culminates in a sharpened (or flattened) point S. The optimum length of the spoke 2. from its base to the point 5, is twenty-one (21) inches in the preferred embodiment of the invention. The length of the spoke 2, from the base 18 to its point 5, may be constructed in varying dimensions, according to the selection of the ultimate customer. The base 18 of the spoke 2 may be welded to the top side 16 of the channel iron 10, or may be attached to the top side 16 by other means, including bolts, L-brackets, a threaded connection, an integral construction of a pre-determined number of spokes 2 per length of channel iron 6, or other attaching means.

The channel iron 6 comprises inner height and width dimensions of its left side 14, top side 16, and right side 15 which correspond to the diameter of the top rail 10 of a typical chain link fence 13. In this manner, the channel iron 6 will fit snugly onto the top rail 10. The security attachment 1 may be fabricated in a variety of lengths and dimensions of the channel iron 6, according to the requirements of a particular locale, The preferred embodiment of the inventive concept comprises a ten-foot length of the channel iron 6, with the preferred metal being steel. However, other rigid metals or composite materials may be used in the construction of the security attachment 1. The number of spokes 2 per ten foot channel iron 6 section of the security attachment 1 may vary, however the spokes 2 in said section will be regularly spaced along the length of the top side 16 of the channel iron 6.

In viewing FIG. 3, there is observed a partial length of a security attachment 1 device, further displaying regularly-spaced spokes 2 protruding perpendicularly from the top surface 16 of the channel iron 6. Also shown are the symmetrically-spaced boles 7 through which fasteners may be me ted to effect attachment of the channel iron 6 to the top rail 10 of a typical chain link fence 13. The preferred embodiment of the inventive concept uses screws 8 and nuts 9, illustrated in FIG. 3, as the fastening means.

In the first step of utilization of the security attachment 1, a user must drill holes through the top rail 10 of, by way of illustration, a chain link fence 13. The holes drilled through the top rail 10 must be spaced at intervals corresponding to the spacing of holes 7 existing on the top side 16 of the channel iron 6. Further, the drilling must be completed, co-axially, through the entire cross section of the top rail 10, forming two co-axial holes. After the drilling is performed, screws 8 or other fasteners are inserted through the cross-section of the top rail 10, and each screw 8 is then secured in place by tightening of a nut 9 onto the screw 8 and against the exterior of the top rail 10.

While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, and by no means limited by the scope of the claims presented herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for horizontal attachment to a finite length of the top rail of a fence having a horizontally-oriented top rail, said attachment comprising: a primarily longitudinal channel iron having an inverted u-shaped cross section forming a narrow left side and a narrow right side, both sides formed at right angles to a broader top side, wherein the top side further contains (a) a plurality of regularly-spaced bent spokes arranged parallel to each other and attached perpendicularly to said top side, (b) regularly-spaced holes through said top side, and (c) a plurality of fasteners corresponding to the holes in said top side, said fasteners having a length exceeding the height dimension of the sides of the channel iron.
 2. A device for horizontal attachment to a finite length of the top rail of a chain link fence, comprising: a primarily longitudinal channel iron having an inverted u-shaped cross section forming a narrow left side and a narrow right side, both sides formed at right angles to a broader top side, wherein the top side further contains (a) a plurality of regularly-spaced bent spokes arranged parallel to each other and attached perpendicularly to said top side, (b) regularly-spaced holes through said top side, and (c) a plurality of fasteners corresponding to the holes in said top side, said fasteners having a length exceeding the height dimension of the sides of the channel iron.
 3. A device for horizontal attachment to a finite length of the top rail of a chain link fence, comprising: a primarily longitudinal channel iron having an inverted u-shaped cross section forming a narrow left side and a narrow right side, both sides formed at right angles to a broader top side, wherein the top side further contains (a) a plurality of regularly-spaced bent spokes arranged parallel to each other and attached perpendicularly to said top side, (b) regularly-spaced holes through said top side, (c) a plurality of screws of a diameter corresponding to the holes in said top side, said screws having a length exceeding the height dimension of the sides of the channel iron, and (d) a plurality of nuts having threaded inner diameters corresponding to said screws.
 4. A device as in either claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3 wherein the inner dimensions of said channel iron correspond to the outer dimensions of the top rail of a chain link fence, wherein said top rail comprises an outer diametrical dimension in the range of 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches. 